Spark-plug



' J. V. OSTERHOUT.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1919.

1,371,431. Patented Mar. 15,1921.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN V. OSTERHOU'I, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

SPARK-PLUG.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 15 1921 Application filed August 28,1919. Serial No. 320,447.

To all whom it may concern:

This invention resides in improvements in mechanism of sparking plugs of the type ordinarily used in internalcombustion englues It is an object of this invention to pro- Vide a removable lining for "the interior chamber of the'plugs now in use for the purpose of supplying new linings after the normal operation of the motor has caused a deposit of carbon or oil to foul the lining in use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means preventing access of oil and unconsumed gases to the chamber immediately surrounding .the interior portion of the porcelain spark plug.

it is a further object of this invention to provide an adjustment between the two electrodes by which the spark is made to- J lt is a further object of this invention to replace an electrode, which has deteriorated by reason of pitting or other causes, by a new electrode. This new electrode may be given either a separate mounting or form part of the original electrode structure.

Another object of this invention is to firmly position the second electrode on the plug structure after adjustment.

Other objects of my invention will be evident from the specification and appended claims herewith.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of a form of my improved spark plug.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the end. of the I spark plu shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of another form of my improvement.

Fig. 5 is a side view of one element shown in Fig. i.

vwithout pressure from the outside.

In the drawings the customary spark plug sleeve is shown at 1. This sleeve is centrally recessed to receive the porcelain core 2 carrying the central electrode 3.

This central electrode projects through the cone-shaped end of the core 2, while from the opposite end projects the contact member 4 to which the electrode circuit is connected. A look nut 5 serves to hold the core 2 in rigid position centrally of the member 1., Suitable gaskets may be interposed between the member 5, the member 1 and the cooperating shoulders of the core 2.

A lining 6, which may be made readily removable and which-preferably is of copper, is set in the lower centralrecess of the sleeve 1. One end of this lining is flared as at 7 to .form a yieldable gasket between the sleeve 1 and the shoulder of the core 2. This lining conforms closely to the recess in the member 1 and extends to its outlet. The lining 6 may be readily removed and replaced by a new one in the event of fouling from oil or incompletely burned combustible material.

The lower extremity of the sleeve 1 is screw-threaded as at 8 for insertion in the screw-threaded bushing of the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. On diametrically opposite portions of the screw-threadedextremity are slots 9 slightly flaring downwardly and extending for the greater part of the screw-threaded area. The Width of the slots 9 is sufiicient to permit the adjacent portions of the screwthreaded sleeve to approach each otli iler =1 e hole in the wall of the engine cylinder in which the plug is mounted is screw-threaded. This hole tapers inward, the diameter diminishing with the depth. As the plug is screwed into the hole the taper of the walls is sufficient to cause the approach or constriction of the side walls of the plug.

Mounted on the outer wall of the end of the spark plug are the sector shaped lugs 10 circular in their outer form with straight, oppositely disposed, lips 11. form parallel channels running from side to side of the lower end 0? the plug. A slide 12, preferably of copper, having op The lips 11' posite parallel edges, and a radial opening 13 is adapted to be moved laterally between the lugs 10 and to be confined therein against movement in' the axial direction of the plug by the lips 11. On the Opposite side of the slide from the radial opening 13 is found the second electrode 14 which is given an arcuate form to bring its free end opposite the end of the first electrode. Centrally disposed of the slide midway between the slot 13 and the electrode 14 is a circular opening 15. The degree to which the slide is moved across the end of the sleeve 1 will determine the length of spark necessary to pass the electric current over the gap between the first and second electrodes.

When the desired gap. has been produced between the electrodes; the slide is fixed in adjusted position by the action of the screwthreaded portion constricting the end of the sleeve and drawing the lips 11 tightly against the parallel edges of the slide.

' Where desirable to use more than a single electrode in a slide, the form shownin Figs.

4 and 5 may be used. In this form opposite curved electrodes 16 and 17 are mounted on the slide and brought in the same plane with the end of the electrode 3. Movement of the slide laterally of the spark plug sleeve will bring one or the other of the electrodes 16 and 17 into operative relationship with the electrode 3 and the adjustment having been made, the slide is then clamped in position as above described. A' further advantage to be found in the structure is the fact that the pitting of one electrode will still permit unimpaired use of the spark plug through the operation of an auxiliary electrode.

In the use of a spark plug made in the above described manner, it is possible to obtain continued good operation from the motor by the avoidance of an undue accumulation of carbonaceous material on the interior wall of the sleeve. The lining 6 being of copper, will retain the-heat generated by the combustion of the gases to a eater extent than the surroundingwall an willtherefore prevent accumulation of oil or other carbonaceous material. In this manner danger from a short circuit over .the cone tip of the core 2 is avoided. If by any chance this copper lining becomes ineffective, due to long 'ber of unconsumed gases or lubricating oil.

The provision of an adjustable electrode permits wide variation in the len h of the spark gap and ready correction o the length of the spark gap in case it should become too long and interfere with the ignition.

The adjustment of the length of the spark gap by means of the slide is rendered permanent by 'use of the slots in the screw threaded sleeve which forms a positively acting clamp.

What I claim is: 1. In a spark plug, a-sleeve, an insulating core, an electrode therethrough, means to reslide, and means to hold said slide in adjusted position.

3. In a spark plug, a sleeve, an insulating core, an electrode therethrough, means to retain said core in. said sleeve, lugs mounted on the end of said sleeve and oppositely grooved, a slide adapted to move in saidgrooves, the end of said sleeve adapted to be constricted, and an electrode carried by said slide.

4. In combination, a spark plug core carrying an electrode, a sleeve and means to retain the core therein, a screw-threaded boss on said sleeve, said boss being longitudinally slotted through a portion of its length, lugs on the end of the boss and having grooves in planes parallel to the plane of the slots, and a slide adjustable in said grooves and carrying an electrode.

5. In combination, a spark plug core carrying an electrode, a sleeve and means to retain the core therein, a boss on said sleeve,

a portion of 1ts length, lugs on the end of the boss and havi'n grooves parallel to the slots and a slide a justable in said grooves and carryin an electrode.

6. In com ination with the sleeve of a spark plug, a slide having a central opening and a radial slot, an electrode mounted on sald slide, and means on said sleeve to position said slide.

7. In combination with the sleeve of a spark plu a slide having a central opening and a radial slot, side walls parallel .to the radial slot, an electrode mounted on said slide, and means on said sleeve to hold said side walls in osition.

8. In combination with the sleeve of a spark plug, a slide having a central opening and parallel side walls, an electrode mounted on said slide, and means on said sleeve to hold said slide in position.

said boss being diametrically slotted through 9. In combination with the sleeve of a. spark plug, a slide having a central opening and parallel side Walls, a plurality of electrodes mounted on said slide diametrically 5 parallel With-said side Walls, and means on said sleeve to hold said slide in'adjusted position.

10. In combination, a spark plug core carrying an electrode, a sleeve, 2. boss thereon, said boss slotted through a portion of its 10 length, a removable lining extending over the full length of the boss, a flange on said lining and means to hold said core against said flange.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN V. OSTERHOUT. 

